Pant garment having crotch panel that eliminates cross seam

ABSTRACT

A pant garment includes a crotch panel that eliminates the uncomfortable cross seam in a conventional pant garment, while providing improved hygiene. The crotch panel includes an inner layer made of a smooth, soft, absorbent and breathable fabric material and an outer layer made of the same fabric material as the exterior of the remainder of the pant garment. The inner layer is treated with an antimicrobial agent that is distributed substantially uniformly through the thickness of the inner layer. The inner layer may further include a moisture repellant additive that is applied to the outer surface of the inner layer. The crotch panel may be sized and shaped appropriately and combined with a gusset in a military pant garment to provide increased comfort and improved hygiene, particularly for female military personnel deployed in field operations or in a combat theatre.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/371,199, filed on Feb. 13, 2009, and entitled “Women's Multi-Ply Cotton and Pant Fabric Smooth Crotch Panel” filed on Feb. 13, 2009, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/123,415, filed on Apr. 8, 2008, and entitled “Women's Smooth Crotch Panel Sewn Directly Into Pant Garment,” the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to pant garments, and more particularly, to a pant garment having a crotch panel for eliminating the cross seam formed by the intersection of the left and right leg seams with the front and rear seams of a conventional pant garment. In exemplary embodiments, the crotch panel includes at least an inner layer made of an absorbent and breathable material treated with an antimicrobial agent, and an outer layer made of the same material as the remainder of the pant garment. In further exemplary embodiments, a moisture repellant additive is applied to the outer surface of the inner layer of the crotch panel. A pant garment having a crotch panel that eliminates the cross seam of a conventional pant garment provides a wearer with increased comfort, as well as physical and mental health benefits due to improved hygiene.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Practical clothing is essential in the workplace for women as well as for men. As a result, more and more women are wearing pant garments in the workplace in addition to during casual, leisure, sports and exercise activities. Many wearers, and in particular women working in an office environment, desire that their workplace clothing have a professional appearance in addition to being practical. Accordingly, an increasing number of women working in an office environment are wearing dress pants, also commonly referred to as dress slacks, as opposed to traditional dresses and skirts. Dress slacks, however, tend to show panty lines when worn with an undergarment. In an effort to avoid the unsightly appearance of panty lines, some women elect to wear an uncomfortable girdle, tights or a string-like undergarment commonly referred to as a thong. However, in addition to being practical and professional, it is also desirable for workplace clothing to be comfortable. Apart from the workplace, a significant number of individuals, both men and women, elect to forego wearing an undergarment while wearing a pant garment. The reasons given by these individuals for wearing a pant garment without an undergarment include increased comfort, improved mental attitude and physical health benefits due to improved hygiene.

Wearing a pant garment without an undergarment, however, is not always comfortable. The construction of a conventional pant garment often includes a cross seam in the crotch region as a result of the intersection of the left and right legs seams with the front and rear seams. This cross seam can be uncomfortable to the wearer while sitting and during leisure and exercise activities, for example walking or running, when the cross seam is positioned immediately adjacent the wearer's body. The cross seam can be particularly uncomfortable to a woman wearing a pant garment without an undergarment due to the sensitivity and vulnerability of the female anatomy in the crotch region. Pant garments having an insert, gusset, crotch panel or the like, that eliminate the cross seam have been developed for both men and women to be used in sporting and leisure activities, such as bicycling, swimming, dancing and yoga. As yet, however, no pant garment that eliminates the uncomfortable cross seam is available that is also suitable for a man or woman to wear in a workplace. More specifically, there are no dress pants or dress slacks having a professional appearance that eliminates the cross seam of a conventional pant garment presently available for an individual, and in particular a woman, to wear comfortably in an office environment.

Aside from appearance and comfort, physical health benefits are obtained from wearing a pant garment alone because an undergarment tends to trap bacteria and other contaminants in a moist, warm and confined environment immediately adjacent to the body of the wearer. Infections and skin irritations are particularly common among women, and are especially prevalent among woman engaging in exercise and sports activities, or working in a physically demanding job. The United States military has recognized significant health risks as a result of military personnel wearing the same undergarment for extended periods of time while performing a physically demanding job. In particular, there is a significantly higher incidence of yeast infections among women deployed in a field operation or combat theatre than among women in the general population. In addition to the health care costs, the United States military loses valuable man-hours as a result of female military personnel suffering from yeast infections and other skin irritations. Health professions treating women with reoccurring yeast infections often recommend wearing a loose-fitting pant garment without an undergarment to improve hygiene by increasing the amount of air circulation in the area of the infection and thereby promote healing. Merely wearing a loose-fitting pant garment without an undergarment, however, is not sufficient to overcome the problem for deployed female military personnel that are oftentimes not able to bath or wash the pant garment on a daily basis.

The Women's Health Assessment Team of the United States Army Medicine division issued an unclassified white paper in October, 2011 entitled THE CONCERNS OF WOMEN CURRENTLY SERVING IN THE AFGHANISTAN THEATRE OF OPERATIONS. The Army Medicine white paper determined that “[c]orrelations have been found between field conditions, feminine hygiene practices and reported urinary tract infections (UTIs) and vaginitis symptoms” and further that “[r]isk factors for UTI in the deployed environment include impaired voiding and impaired feminine hygiene, which are fostered by poor sanitation conditions, lack of latrines, lack of privacy, and the inconvenience of undressing in full battle gear.” The white paper further found that “[f]orty-eight percent of the women . . . reported that symptoms of vaginitis and UTIs compromised their performance of duties during deployments and 27% reported lost time due to their symptoms.” Recommendations of the white paper included an increase in consistent and timely education for women's health issues and how they are impacted by deployment in field operations and combat theatres.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a pant garment that overcomes the problems, deficiencies and shortcomings associated with wearing a conventional pant garment without an undergarment. There exists a more particular need for a pant garment having a crotch panel that eliminates the cross seam of a conventional pant garment. There exists a further particular need for a pant garment having a crotch panel that provides increased comfort, as well as mental and physical health benefits due to improved hygiene.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention is a pant garment having a crotch panel that eliminates the uncomfortable cross seam created in a conventional pant garment by the intersection of the left and right leg seams with the front and rear seams. The invented pant garment is sufficiently practical, physically attractive and comfortable to be worn in a workplace, including an office environment. In particular, the crotch panel allows the pant garment to be worn without an undergarment and thereby avoid any unsightly panty lines associated with the undergarment. The invented pant garment also provides increased comfort as a result of replacing the uncomfortable cross seam with a crotch panel having an inner layer made of a smooth, soft, absorbent and breathable fabric material, such as natural cotton. The crotch panel of the invented pant garment further provides an outer layer made of the same fabric material as the remainder of the pant garment so that the crotch panel is less noticeable to a casual observer.

In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention is a military pant garment having a crotch panel that provides increased comfort and improved hygiene, especially for female military personnel deployed in field operations or in a combat theatre. More specifically, the invented military pant garment includes a crotch panel having an inner layer treated with an antimicrobial agent that is distributed substantially uniformly through the thickness of the inner layer. The inner layer of the invented military pant garment may further include a moisture repellant additive that is applied to the outer surface of the inner layer. The crotch panel may be combined with a gusset in the military pant garment to provide increased comfort with excessive movements, such as strenuous exercise or workplace activities commonly encountered in field operations or in a combat theatre.

Other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent or will be readily understood and appreciated by those skilled in the apparel art as the invention is described in greater detail hereinafter and is shown in the accompanying drawing figures. It is envisioned that all such aspects, objects, features and advantages of the invention as shown and described herein will be within the intended broad scope of the appended claims. The above and other aspects, objects, features and advantages may be accomplished by the exemplary embodiment of the invention described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be appreciated that the drawing figures are for illustrative purposes only, and that many modifications may be made to the specific construction of the exemplary embodiment illustrated therein without departing from the broadest reasonable interpretation of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The aforementioned objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a pant garment having a crotch panel that eliminates the cross seam of a conventional pair of pants according to the invention showing the front of the pant garment from the exterior.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the pant garment and crotch panel of FIG. 1 showing the inside of the pant garment, including the inside of the crotch panel.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, detail plan view of the inner layer of the crotch panel shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3 and illustrating an exemplary method of joining the inner layer and the outer layer of the crotch panel to the left and right leg seams of the pant garment according to the invention.

FIG. 4A is an enlarged detail elevation view of the cross section of the inner layer of the crotch panel taken at the location indicated in FIG. 4 and illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a construction of the inner layer of the crotch panel according to the invention.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a pant garment having a crotch panel that eliminates the cross seam of a conventional pair of pants according to the invention showing the front of the pant garment from the exterior.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the pant garment and crotch panel of FIG. 5 showing the rear of the pant garment from the exterior.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the pant garment and the crotch panel of FIG. 5 showing the pant garment indicated by broken lines and the inner layer of the crotch panel indicated by solid lines.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, detail plan view of the inner layer of the crotch panel shown in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-4A show an exemplary embodiment of a pant garment, indicated generally at 10, having a crotch panel, indicated generally at 20, that eliminates the cross seam defined by the intersection of the left and right leg seams with the front and rear seams of a conventional pant garment. As shown and described herein, the pant garment 10 is a pair of dress pants, also commonly referred to as dress slacks, of the type typically worn by a woman. The pant garment 10 may be full-length, Capri-length or short-length and may be formed with or without a finishing (e.g. a cuff, hem, or the like). Regardless, a woman may wear the pant garment 10 comfortably even without an undergarment because the crotch panel 20 eliminates the uncomfortable cross seam present in a conventional pant garment, in a manner to be shown and described hereinafter. Furthermore, wearing the pant garment 10 without an undergarment improves hygiene because the crotch panel 20 diffuses, commonly referred to as “wicks,” moisture away from the woman's body in the direction of the exterior of the pant garment, while combating the proliferation of bacteria, in a manner to be shown and described hereinafter.

Although the exemplary embodiment of the pant garment 10 shown and described herein with reference to FIGS. 1-4A is a pair of women's dress pants or dress slacks, the construction of the crotch panel 20 as well as the objects, features and advantages associated therewith are equally applicable to a pair of men's dress pants or dress slacks. Furthermore, the pant garment 10 is not intended to be limited by this detailed description to full-length dress pants or dress slacks, but instead is equally applicable to trousers, casual pants (e.g. jeans), Capri style pants, shorts, exercise and activity apparel (e.g. bicycle shorts, swimming suits and trunks, sweat pants, tights, leggings, etc.) and the like, of any length and configured to be worn by men or women, as well as by male or female children. In other words, the present invention is not intended to be limited in any manner to a particular type of pant garment, to a particular use of the pant garment, or to a type of pant garment that is typically worn only by a woman, only by a man, or only by a child. Instead, the present invention, and in particular the appended claims, should be interpreted to have the broadest possible scope consistent with the written description and the drawings provided herein.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing the front of the pant garment 10 having the crotch panel 20 from the exterior. FIG. 2 is a top perspective view showing the inside of the pant garment 10, including the inside of the crotch panel 20. The crotch panel 20 comprises at least two layers of material, and more particularly, at least an inner layer 22 of a first fabric material and an outer layer 26 of a second fabric material. The outer layer 26 of the crotch panel 20 is best shown in FIG. 1, while the inner layer 22 is best shown in FIG. 2. The inner layer 22 is made of a relatively smooth, relatively soft, absorbent and breathable material, for example natural (i.e. organic) cotton or a man-made cotton equivalent, such as polyester, rayon, etc., or blends thereof. Preferably, the inner layer 22 of the crotch panel 20 is made predominately of natural cotton and is formed in any suitable manner, including by way of example and not limitation, spun, woven or knitted. The specific material and the specific manner of forming the inner layer 22 are not essential to the invention, and both are well known to those skilled in the apparel art. The only essential requirement of the material and the manner of forming the material is that the finished inner layer 22 must be both absorbent and breathable. As used herein, the term “breathable” is intended to have its ordinary dictionary meaning, namely that the fabric material of the inner layer 22 has the ability to allow moisture vapor to be transmitted through the material, and in particular, through the thickness of the material from the inner surface to the outer surface of the inner layer. Preferably, the outer layer 26 is made of the same fabric material as the remainder of the pant garment 10. In this manner, the presence of the crotch panel 20 will be less noticeable to a casual observer of the exterior of the pant garment.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, detail view of the inner layer 22 of the crotch panel 20. FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a method for joining the inner layer 22 and the outer layer 26 of the crotch panel 20 to the left and right leg seams 12 and 14, respectively, of the pant garment 10. FIG. 4A is an enlarged, detail view of the cross section of the inner layer 22 of the crotch panel 20 taken from the location indicated in FIG. 4 illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a construction of the inner layer. As best shown in FIG. 3, the inner layer 22 of the crotch panel 20 has an elongated shape. When viewed from the perspective of the plan view of FIG. 3, the inner layer 22 appears generally planar. However, as will be readily understood and appreciated by those skilled in the apparel art, the inner layer 22 necessarily takes the form of the pant garment 10 when the crotch panel 20 is joined to the pant garment in the manner described hereinafter. The specific elongated shape of the inner layer 22 is not essential to the invention. By way of example only and not limitation, the inner layer 22 may have a generally oval, elliptical or pear shape. Alternatively, the inner layer 22 may have a generally diamond shape or kite shape. Furthermore, the perimeter of the diamond-shaped or kite-shaped inner layer 22 may be rounded in the vicinity of its endpoints such that the perimeter is defined by a series of straight line segments interconnected by one or more arcuate segments adjacent the endpoints. Regardless, the width W of the inner layer 22 as measured between the left and right leg seams 12, 14 is substantially less than the length L of the inner layer as measured between the front seam 16 and the rear seam 18.

As previously mentioned, the specific shape defined by the perimeter of the inner layer 22 is relatively inconsequential, and instead, it is only essential for the inner layer to have an elongated shape that is consistent with the general construction of the pant garment 10. With regard to the exemplary embodiment of the pant garment 10 shown in FIGS. 1-4A, the outer layer 26 of the crotch panel 20 is configured to have essentially the same size and shape as the inner layer 22. Since one of the various objects, features and advantages of the present invention is to limit the visibility of the crotch panel 20 from the exterior of the pant garment 10, it is conceivable that the outer layer 26 have a size and shape that is different than the inner layer 22, and more particularly, have a size that is smaller than the size of the inner layer. Constructing the crotch panel 20 from an inner layer 22 and an outer layer 26 having a different size and/or shape would necessarily increase the number and extent of the stitching lines required to join the crotch panel to the pant garment 10. As a result, the construction of the crotch panel 20 and the method of joining the crotch panel to the pant garment 10 could potentially re-introduce discomfort to the wearer of the pant garment due to the presence of the additional stitching lines in the crotch region of the pant garment. For at least this reason, it is preferred that the inner layer 22 and the outer layer 26 of the crotch panel 20 have substantially the same configuration (i.e. size and shape) in the exemplary embodiment of the pant garment 10 shown in FIGS. 1-4A and described herein.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the inner layer 22 and the outer layer 26 of the crotch panel 20 are positioned in the direction of the rear of the pant garment 10 relative to the left and right leg seams 12, 14. In other words, the portion of the inner layer 22 and the outer layer 26 disposed between the left and right leg seams 12, 14 and the front seam 16 is less than the portion of the inner layer 22 and the outer layer 26 disposed between the left and right leg seams 12, 14 and the rear seam 18. Defined differently, the distance, or length, of the perimeter of the crotch panel 20 extending from the left and right leg seams 12, 14 to the rear seam 18 is greater than the distance, or length, of the perimeter of the crotch panel 20 extending from the left and right leg seams 12, 14 to the front seam 16. Stated more simplistically, the crotch panel 20 is shifted, displaced, or biased in the direction of the rear of the pant garment 10 relative to the left and right leg seams 12, 14. In this manner, the crotch panel 20 provides increased comfort to the wearer, while further reducing the visibility of the crotch panel 20 when the exterior of the pant garment 10 is viewed from the front by a casual observer. Furthermore, disposing the crotch panel 20 in the direction of the rear of the pant garment 10 allows the fly (e.g. buttons or zipper), if provided, to extend to a lower position on the front of the pant garment.

As best seen in FIG. 4, the inner layer 22 and the outer layer 26 of the crotch panel 20 are joined to the pant garment 10 by a conventional sewing, also commonly referred to as stitching, process that is well known to those of ordinary skill in the apparel art. However, the inner layer 22 and the outer layer 26 may be joined to the pant garment 10 in any suitable manner, including by way of example and not limitation, gluing or thermoforming using a heat activated adhesive. Furthermore, the inner layer 22, outer layer 26 and pant garment 10 may be sewn or stitched together in any suitable manner. As shown, the peripheral edges 23, 27 of the inner layer 22 and the outer layer 26, respectively, are turned under around the perimeter of the crotch panel 20 so that the finished perimeter of the crotch panel is smooth, consistent and not susceptible to fraying. The cross section view of FIG. 4 taken at the location indicated by line 4-4 in FIG. 3 shows the stitching lines 21 only at the location of the left and right leg seams 12, 14. It should be readily apparent, however, that the stitching lines 21 joining the crotch panel 20 and the pant garment 10 together extend around the entire perimeter defined by the crotch panel, as best shown in FIG. 3 from the inside of the pant garment.

The construction of the remainder of the pant garment 10 other than the crotch panel 20 is conventional and numerous suitable methods for forming the remainder of the pant garment are well know to those of ordinary skill in the apparel art. By way of example only and not limitation, the remainder of the pant garment 10 may be constructed of a left leg and torso portion 15A and a right leg and torso portion 15B that are essentially identical mirror images of one another. The opposite edges of the legs of each portion 15A, 15B are sewn together to form the left and right leg seams 12 and 14, respectively. The opposite edges of the torsos of the portions 15A and 15B are then sewn together to form the front seam 16 and the rear seam 18. The inner layer 22 and the outer layer 26 of the crotch panel 20 are then sewn to the inner edges of the portions 15A and 15B (including the ends of the left leg seam 12, right leg seam 14, front seam 16 and rear seam 18) around the entire perimeter of the crotch panel to completely enclose the inside of the pant garment 10. The inner layer 22 and the outer layer 26 of the crotch panel 20 may be sewn together before the crotch panel 20 is joined to the pant garment 10, or alternatively, the inner layer 22 and the outer layer 26 may be sewn independently and separately to the pant garment. Preferably, however, the inner layer 22, the outer layer 26 and the inner edges of the pant garment 10 are sewn together simultaneously as previously described so as to reduce the number and extent of stitching lines 21. The specific method of forming the crotch panel 20 from the inner layer 22 and the outer layer 26, and the specific method for joining the crotch panel 20 to the remainder of the pant garment 10 are shown and described herein for purposes of illustration only and form no part of the present invention. Furthermore, the methods shown and described herein should be known to those skilled in the art, who will readily understand and appreciate that other suitable methods can be utilized in place of the disclosed methods to accomplish substantially the same objects, feature and advantages of the present invention.

FIG. 4A shows an exemplary embodiment of the construction of the inner layer 22 of the crotch panel 20 in accordance with the invention. Importantly, the inner layer 22 comprises an antimicrobial agent, indicated generally at 24. As shown herein, the antimicrobial agent 24 is distributed substantially uniformly throughout the thickness of the inner layer 22, for example by wetting the inner layer with a liquid antimicrobial agent. Regardless, the antimicrobial agent 24 functions to destroy, or at the least, significantly reduce the growth and reproduction of microscopic and submicroscopic organisms, for example harmful bacteria that can cause, among other health concerns, a yeast infection. Substantially uniform distribution of the antimicrobial agent 24 through the thickness of the inner layer 22 prevents bacteria from migrating to an untreated region of the inner layer and proliferating in that region. Destroying or reducing the growth and reproduction of bacteria provides the additional benefit of eliminating or suppressing odors that originate within the inner layer 22 of the crotch panel 20. A suitable antimicrobial agent 24 for treating the inner layer of the crotch panel is commercially available from Sciessent LLC, headquartered at Wakefield, Mass., USA under the registered trade names Agion® and Agion Active®. However, the specific antimicrobial agent is relatively inconsequential to the invention and numerous other suitable antimicrobial agents and/or antimicrobial treatments are available to accomplish the objects, features and advantages of the invention. In any event, the antimicrobial agent 24 must not produce a harmful effect as a result of direct contact with or proximity to human skin. Furthermore, the outer layer 26 of the crotch panel 20 additionally may be treated with the same or different antimicrobial agent 24 in the same or a different manner to further the benefits obtained from the crotch panel of the present invention.

FIG. 4A further shows the inner layer 22 of the crotch panel 20 further comprises a moisture repellant additive 25. As shown, the moisture repellant additive 25 is applied to the outer surface of the inner layer 22 in the form of a coating, a film or the like. Regardless, moisture repellant additive 25 functions to prevent, or at the least, significantly reduce the transfer of moisture from the inner layer 22 into the outer layer 26 of the crotch panel 20. As used herein, the term “moisture” is intended to have its ordinary dictionary definition, namely a diffused wetness that is evidenced (e.g. felt or seen) as vapor in the atmosphere or a condensed liquid on the surface of an object. Accordingly, the moisture repellant additive 25 is useful for preventing transfer to the outer layer 26 of the crotch panel 20 of any wetness, dampness or humidity that is absorbed at the inner surface of the inner layer 22 of the crotch panel 20 and is diffused (i.e. wicked or drawn) through the thickness of the inner layer in the direction of the outer surface of the inner layer. As a result, moisture originating from the wearer's body and that is absorbed by the inner layer 22 will not be transferred to the outer layer 26 and thereby become visible from the exterior of the pant garment 10. For purposes of this disclosure, moisture specifically includes water, urine, and other bodily fluids secreted by the wearer in the region of the crotch panel 20. In any event, it is highly desirable that the water repellant additive 25 does not adversely affect the absorbency, and in particular, the breathability of the inner layer 22 of the crotch panel 20.

In a particular exemplary embodiment, the moisture repellant additive 25 is a relatively thin treatment of a durable water repellant (DWR) fluoropolymer of the type commercially available from W. L. Gore and Associates Inc., headquartered at Newark, Del., USA for treatment of water-resistant and waterproof fabrics sold under the registered trade name GORE-TEX®. A DWR fluorocarbon that is particularly well suited for use as the moisture repellant additive 25 is commercially available from Clariant GmbH Corporation, headquartered at Frankfurt, Federal Republic of Germany in a liquid form for oil and water repellant finishing of textiles made from synthetic or cellulosic (e.g. cotton) fibers and their blends sold under the registered trade name NUVA® (e.g. Nuva TTH and Nuva TTC). In another particular exemplary embodiment, the moisture repellant additive 25 is applied as a coating to the outer surface of the inner layer 22 using a rotary screen printing machine and corresponding process. However, the particular water repellant additive and method of applying the water repellant additive to the outer surface of the inner layer 22 of the crotch panel 20 are relatively inconsequential to the invention and numerous other suitable water repellant additives and treatment methods are known and readily available to accomplish the objects, features and advantages of the invention. In any event, the moisture repellant additive 25 must not produce a harmful effect as a result of direct contact with or proximity to human skin. Furthermore, the inner surface of the outer layer 26 of the crotch panel 20 additionally may be treated with the same or different water repellant additive 25 in the same or a different manner to further the benefits obtained from the water repellant additive.

FIGS. 5-8 show another exemplary embodiment of a pant garment, indicated generally at 30, having a crotch panel, indicated generally at 40, that eliminates the cross seam defined by the intersection of the left and right leg seams with the front and rear seams of a conventional pant garment. As shown and described herein, the pant garment 30 is a pair of military utility pants, commonly referred to as combat fatigues, of the type typically worn by military personnel during training exercises and while deployed in a combat theatre. As such, it is common for military personnel to wear the pant garment 30 for extended periods of time, oftentimes for several consecutive days, without an opportunity to bath regularly and/or to wash the pant garment. In such instances, the military pant garment 30, and in particular the crotch panel 40, provides increased comfort and improved hygiene in the manner previously described hereinabove in the event that the pant garment is worn without an undergarment. For example, pant garment 30 provides deployed personnel with an active infection the opportunity to not wear an undergarment during the extended time period, and thereby increase air circulation to promote healing in the area of the infection. The absorbent and breathable fabric of the inner layer 42, in conjunction with an antimicrobial agent, further promotes healing by wicking moisture away from the infected area and combating the proliferation of bacteria. It should be noted that the military pant garment 30 may be unisex. Alternatively, the military pant garment 30 may be altered in an appropriate manner for better fit and function when worn by a female, or by a male having a slight frame. In the event that alternative versions of the military pant garment 30 are produced, the configuration (i.e. size and shape) of the corresponding crotch panel 40 may be modified as necessary to accommodate the variations in the different versions of the pant garment.

The overall construction and function of the military pant garment 30 having the crotch panel 40 depicted in FIGS. 5-8 is substantially the same as the overall construction and function of the pant garment 10 having the crotch panel 20 depicted in FIGS. 1-4A and previously described. Accordingly, only the relevant differences between the crotch panel 40 and the crotch panel 20 will be described herein in detail. Unless stated otherwise, it should be presumed that all components, elements, features and functions of the crotch panel 20 are likewise present and incorporated into the crotch panel 40 for essentially the same purposes. In particular, it should be noted and appreciated that military personnel undergoing extended field training exercises or deployed in a combat theatre require a pant garment that provides increased comfort and improved hygiene in the event that the pant garment is worn without an undergarment. For at least the reasons previously stated with respect to the crotch panel 20 of the pant garment 10, the corresponding crotch panel 40 of the military pant garment 30 provides increased comfort and improved hygiene to the wearer.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view showing the front of the military pant garment 30 having the crotch panel 40 from the exterior. FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view showing the rear of the military pant garment 30 from the exterior. FIG. 7 is a top perspective view showing a portion of the military pant garment 30 indicated by broken lines and a portion of the military pant garment including the crotch panel 40 indicated by solid lines. FIG. 8 is an enlarged, detail plan view showing the crotch panel 40 as viewed from the inside of the military pant garment 30. The crotch panel 40 comprises at least two layers of material, and more particularly, at least an inner layer 42 of a first fabric material and an outer layer 46 of a second fabric material. The outer layer 46 of the crotch panel 40 is best shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, while the inner layer 42 is best shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. The inner layer 42 is made of a relatively smooth, relatively soft, absorbent and breathable material, as previously described. Furthermore, the inner layer 42 comprises the previously described antimicrobial agent 24 substantially uniformly distributed through the thickness of the inner layer, as well as the previously described moisture repellant additive 25 applied to the outer surface of the inner layer. Likewise as previously described, the outer layer 46 of the crotch panel 40 is preferably made of a fabric material that is the same as the remainder of the military pant garment 30 so that the presence of the crotch panel will be less noticeable to a casual observer of the exterior of the pant garment.

As best seen in FIGS. 5, 7 and 8, the crotch panel 40 of the military pant garment 30 defines a significantly larger footprint than the crotch panel 20 of pant garment 10. In addition to the larger crotch panel 40, the military pant garment 30 further comprises a gusset consisting of left and right gusset panels 50A and 50B, respectively. Gusset 50A, 50B is a reinforced area of the military pant garment 30 that functions to provide increased durability in the seat region of the pant garment. Gusset 50A, 50B may also function to increase the amount of fabric material in the seat region of the military pant garment 30 so as to provide additional comfort and utility to the wearer when engaging in excessive movements, such as running, bending and crouching. Regardless, the gusset 50A, 50B is well known to those skilled in the art of military apparel and forms no significant part of the present invention other than the modifications to the configuration (i.e. size and shape) of the crotch panel 40 necessary to combine the crotch panel and the gusset 50A, 50B together into the crotch region and the seat region of the military pant garment 30.

As previously discussed with respect to the crotch panel 20 of FIGS. 1-4A, the specific elongated shape of the inner layer 42 and the outer layer 46 is not essential to the invention. Due to the presence and dimensions of gusset 50A, 50B, the width W of the crotch panel 40 as measured between the left and right leg seams 32, 34 may be greater than the length L as measured between the front seam 36 and the rear seam 38. Alternatively, the width W of the inner layer 42 may be less than or greater than its length L regardless of whether the outer layer 46 has a size and shape that is different than the inner layer 42. However, as shown and described herein with regard to the exemplary embodiment of the military pant garment 30 shown in FIGS. 5-8, the outer layer 46 of the crotch panel 40 is configured to have essentially the same size and shape as the inner layer 42. As previously discussed, constructing the crotch panel 40 from an inner layer 42 and an outer layer 46 having a different size and/or shape would increase the number and extent of the stitching lines 41 required to join the crotch panel to the military pant garment 30, and consequently, potentially re-introduce discomfort to the wearer of the pant garment due to the presence of the additional stitching lines in the crotch region of the pant garment. For at least this reason, it is preferred that the inner layer 42 and the outer layer 46 of the crotch panel 40 have substantially the same configuration (i.e. size and shape) in the exemplary embodiment of the military pant garment 30 shown in FIGS. 5-8 and described herein.

As best shown in FIG. 8, the gusset 50A, 50B is disposed between the crotch panel 40 and the rear seam 38 of the military pant garment 30. More specifically, gusset 50A, 50B extends in a rearward direction from the left and right leg seams 32, 34 to the rear seam 38. Gusset 50A, 50B may be formed as a single piece. However, it is preferred that the gusset is formed from left gusset portion 50A and the right gusset portion 50B joined together along a center seam 51 for the purposes of ease of manufacturing and additional comfort the wearer. As a result, crotch panel 40, and specifically inner layer 42 as illustrated in FIG. 8, extends in a rearward direction from the front seam 36 to gusset 50A, 50B. Preferably, the inner layer 42 and the outer layer 46 of the crotch panel 40 are positioned (i.e. shifted, displaced or biased) in the direction of the rear of the military pant garment 30 relative to the left and right leg seams 32, 34 for at least the reasons previously mentioned, namely to provide increased comfort and to reduce visibility of the crotch panel 40 when the pant garment 30 is viewed from the front by a casual observer.

As best shown in FIG. 8, the crotch panel 40 is joined to the remainder of the pant garment 30, including gusset 50A, 50B by a conventional sewing or stitching process that is well known to those of ordinary skill in the apparel art. As previously described, the peripheral edges of the inner layer 42 and the outer layer 46, respectively, may be turned under around the perimeter of the crotch panel 40 and the inner edges of the pant garment stitched therebetween so that the finished perimeter of the crotch panel is smooth, consistent and not susceptible to fraying. The stitching lines 41 shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 that join the crotch panel 40 and the remainder of the military pant garment 30 together extend around the entire perimeter defined by the crotch panel, as well as around the entire perimeter of the gusset 50A, 50B. As previously mentioned, the stitching line defined by the center seam 51 disposed medially between the front seam 36 and the rear seam 38 joins the left and right gusset portions together.

The construction of the remainder of the military pant garment 30 other than the crotch panel 40 is conventional and should be readily apparent to those skilled in the apparel art. As previously discussed with respect to the pant garment 10, the remainder of the pant garment 30 may be constructed of a left leg and torso portion 35A and a right leg and torso portion 35B that are essentially identical mirror images of one another. The opposite edges of the legs of each portion 35A, 35B are sewn together to form the left and right leg seams 32 and 34, respectively. The opposite edges of the torsos of the portions 35A and 35B are then sewn together to form the front seam 36 and the rear seam 38. The left and right gusset portions 50A and 50B are then sewn together along center seam 51 and the finished gusset 50A, 50B is sewn to the inner edges of the portions 35A and 35B between the left and right leg seams 32, 34 and the rear seam 38. Finally, the inner layer 42 and the outer layer 46 of the crotch panel 40 are sewn to the inner edges of the portions 35A and 35B between the left and right leg seams 32, 34 and the front seam 36, and to the inner edges of the gusset 50A, 50B between the left and right leg seams 32, 34 and the center seam 51 of the gusset. In this manner, the crotch panel 40 and the gusset 50A, 50B completely enclose the inside of the military pant garment 30.

As previously described with respect to inner layer 22 of crotch panel 20 and shown in FIG. 4A, the inner layer 42 of the crotch panel 40 comprises an antimicrobial agent that is distributed substantially uniformly throughout the thickness of the inner layer. The antimicrobial agent functions to destroy, or at the least, significantly reduce the growth and reproduction of microscopic and submicroscopic organisms, for example harmful bacteria that can cause, among other health concerns, a yeast infection. Destroying or reducing the growth and reproduction of bacteria provides the additional benefit of eliminating or suppressing odors that originate within the inner layer 42 of the crotch panel 40. In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the antimicrobial agent is Agion Active® treatment commercially available from Sciessent LLC, of Wakefield, Mass., USA, which provides the objects, features and advantages of the present invention and does not produce a harmful effect as a result of direct contact with or proximity to human skin. Furthermore, the outer layer 46 of the crotch panel 40 additionally may be treated with the same or different antimicrobial agent to further the benefits obtained from use of the crotch panel with the military pant garment 30.

As previously described with respect to inner layer 22 of crotch panel 20 and shown in FIG. 4A, the inner layer 42 of the crotch panel 40 further comprises a moisture repellant additive that is applied to the outer surface of the inner layer 42. The moisture repellant additive functions to prevent, or at the least, significantly reduce the transfer of moisture from the inner layer 42 into the outer layer 46 of the crotch panel 40. As such, the moisture repellant additive is useful for preventing transfer to the outer layer 46 of the crotch panel 40 of any wetness, dampness or humidity that is absorbed at the inner surface of the inner layer 42 and is diffused (i.e. wicked or drawn) through the thickness of the inner layer in the direction of the outer surface of the inner layer. As a result, moisture originating from the wearer's body in the region of the crotch panel that is absorbed by the inner layer 42 will not be transferred to the outer layer 46 and thereby become visible from the exterior of the military pant garment 30. Furthermore, the inner surface of the outer layer 46 of the crotch panel 40 additionally may be treated with the same or different moisture repellant additive to further the benefits obtained from use of the crotch panel with the military pant garment 30. In any event, it is highly desirable that the water repellant additive does not adversely affect the absorbency, and in particular, the breathability of the inner layer 42 of the crotch panel 40.

It should be noted that in some situations an additional layer of a smooth, soft, absorbent and breathable fabric material (e.g. natural cotton) may be provided on the inner facing side of the inner layer 22, 42 of the crotch panel 20, 40. The additional layer may be desirable to provide another layer of comfort and hygiene to the wearer. The absorbency of a single ply of the fabric material of inner layer 22, 42 will dictate the need for the additional layer of fabric material. Furthermore, the additional layer is preferably treated with the antimicrobial agent 24 in the manner previously described and for the same reasons previously discussed. The additional layer may be sewn directly into the inside of the pant garment 10, 30 during or following construction of the pant garment, or alternatively, the additional layer may be a separate item having an adhesive for temporarily securing the additional layer on the inside of the pant garment. In this manner, the additional layer may be utilized only when needed, and may be made disposable so as to be replaced with a new or fresh additional layer as desired. In addition, the inner layer 22, 42 and/or the additional layer may be scented as desired with a scent element that is non-irritating to human skin.

Regardless of the foregoing detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, the optimum dimensional relationships for the individual components of the invention, including variations in size, shape, thickness, form, materials, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, as well as equivalents thereof, are deemed to be readily apparent and understood by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawing figures and described in the written description are intended to be encompassed by the present invention, the foregoing being considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to limit the invention to the specific configuration, construction, materials and operation shown and described. Instead, all reasonably predictable and suitable equivalents and obvious modifications to the invention should be construed as falling within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims given their broadest reasonable interpretation in view of the accompanying written description and drawings. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A pant garment comprising: a left leg portion made of a garment fabric material and defining a left leg seam; a right leg portion made of the garment fabric material and defining a right leg seam, the left leg portion and the right leg portion joined together to further define a front seam, a rear seam and inner edges extending between the left and right leg seams and the front seam and between the left and right leg seams and the rear seam; and a crotch panel disposed in a crotch region defined by the inner edges, the crotch panel comprising an inner layer made of a first fabric material and an outer layer made of a second fabric material and positioned outwardly of the inner layer; wherein the inner layer of the crotch panel comprises an antimicrobial agent that is distributed substantially uniformly through the first fabric material.
 2. A pant garment according to claim 1, wherein the crotch panel is disposed in the crotch region to eliminate a cross seam defined by the intersection of a left leg seam, a right leg seam, a front seam and a rear seam of a pant garment that does not have the crotch panel.
 3. A pant garment according to claim 1, wherein the inner layer of the crotch panel further comprises a moisture repellant additive that is applied to an outer surface of the inner layer adjacent an inner surface of the outer layer of the crotch panel.
 4. A pant garment according to claim 1, wherein the second fabric material of the outer layer of the crotch panel is the same material as the garment fabric material.
 5. A pant garment according to claim 1, wherein the first fabric material of the inner layer of the crotch panel is an absorbent and breathable material.
 6. A pant garment according to claim 5, wherein the first fabric material is selected from the group consisting of natural cotton, a man-made cotton equivalent and blends thereof.
 7. A pant garment according to claim 1, wherein the inner layer of the crotch panel has a width measured between the left leg seam and the right leg seam, and a length measured between the front seam and the rear seam that is greater than the width.
 8. A pant garment according to claim 1, wherein the inner layer of the crotch panel is biased in the direction of the rear seam such that the extent of a perimeter of the inner layer extending between the left leg seam and the right leg seam in the direction of the front seam is less than the extent of the perimeter of the inner layer extending between the left leg seam and the right leg seam in the direction of the rear seam.
 9. A pant garment according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the inner layer of the crotch panel is selected from the group consisting of oval, elliptical, pear, diamond-shaped and kite-shaped.
 10. A pant garment according to claim 9, wherein the inner layer of the crotch panel is selected from the group consisting of diamond-shaped and kite-shaped, and wherein a perimeter of the inner layer defines endpoints at the left leg seam, the right leg seam, the front seam and the rear seam.
 11. A pant garment according to claim 10, wherein the inner layer comprises a series of straight segments interconnected with an arcuate segment adjacent the endpoints.
 12. A pant garment according to claim 1, wherein the crotch panel is joined to the inner edges defined by the left leg portion and the right leg portion with the inner edges disposed medially between the inner layer and the outer layer of the crotch panel.
 13. A pant garment according to claim 1, further comprising a gusset that is disposed on the pant garment in a seat region between the crotch panel and the rear seam.
 14. A pant garment according to claim 13, wherein the gusset comprises a left gusset portion and a right gusset portion joined together along a center seam that extends between the crotch panel and the rear seam.
 15. A pant garment according to claim 14, wherein the left gusset portion defines a perimeter that extends between the left leg seam and the rear seam, and wherein the right gusset portion defines a perimeter that extends between the right leg seam and the rear seam.
 16. A crotch panel for a pant garment, comprising: an inner layer made of a first fabric material that is absorbent and breathable; and an outer layer made of a second fabric material that is different than the first fabric material; wherein the inner panel and the outer panel are joined together and disposed within a crotch region of the pant garment to eliminate a cross seam defined by the intersection of a left leg seam, a right leg seam, a front seam and a rear seam of the pant garment; and wherein the inner layer comprises an antimicrobial agent distributed substantially uniformly through a thickness of the inner layer and a moisture repellant additive that is applied to an outer surface of the inner layer adjacent an inner surface of the outer layer.
 17. A crotch panel according to claim 16, wherein the inner layer has a width measured between the left leg seam and the right leg seam, and a length measured between the front seam and the rear seam that is greater than the width.
 18. A crotch panel according to claim 16, wherein the inner layer is biased in the direction of the rear seam of the pant garment such that the extent of a perimeter of the inner layer extending between the left leg seam and the right leg seam in the direction of the front seam is less than the extent of the perimeter of the inner layer extending between the left leg seam and the right leg seam in the direction of the rear seam.
 19. A crotch panel according to claim 16, wherein the fabric material of the outer layer is the same as a fabric material of the pant garment.
 20. A method of joining the crotch panel according to claim 16 to the pant garment, comprising: turning under peripheral edges of the inner layer around a perimeter defined by the inner layer; turning under peripheral edges of the outer layer around a perimeter defined by the outer layer; disposing inner edges defined by the pant garment that extend from the left leg seam and the right leg seam to the front seam and from the left leg seam and the right leg seam to the rear seam between the inner layer and the outer layer; and sewing the inner layer and the outer layer together with the inner edges defined by the pant garment disposed therebetween to form substantially continuous stitching lines around the perimeter defined by the inner layer and the outer layer and including the left leg seam, the right leg seam, the front seam and the rear seam. 